News 22 Aug 2010

ASBK: IEG announces bold new plans for 2011 expansion

Australian Superbike Championship promoter International Entertainment Group has released details on the 2011 series in a brief document distributed at Queensland Raceway’s riders’ briefing on Saturday.

Next season will see a minimum of six rounds with five standalone events plus the Superbike World Championship support races, with IEG currently in negotiations for a return to Eastern Creek Raceway in New South Wales.

There’s a provision of an additional two rounds for 2011 at V8 Supercars Championship Series events, scheduled to be Superbike-only rounds if a deal can be reached.

It was also revealed that entry fees will be slashed by up to 45 perecent, with Superbike lowered from $580 to $360 per round, Supersport from $575 to $300, Pro Stock (formerly Superstock 1000) from $460 to $300, Superstock 600 from $460 to $235 and 125GP/250-Mono from $460 to $235.

All fees include Friday practice according to the document, with Sidecars and Supermoto both remaining at $235 each for the new year.

The Pro Stock 1000 class replaces the Superstock 1000 category, forming an all-in class that will feature all grades of riders compared with the separate classes that have been completed this season.

Superstock 600 will see the same specifications, however IEG is considering opening up the class to B-grade riders with an age limit of 23 in a bid to “encourage participation as well as stimulate growth into other categories”. The document did note that there may be exemptions to the age limit for first year Motorcycling Australia licence holders.

Prize money in the Superbike class will be increased by a minimum of $4000 per round, however the allocation of the prize money is yet to be detailed.

Television will be boosted to have all classes televised in “varying levels of coverage”, while Superbike and Supersport will both be shown in their entirety. Superpole will also be shown.

IEG has stated that support classes will receive at least 10 minutes each per round, as well as the presentation – increasing their investment by 60 percent in a bid to increase sponsorship potential for competitors in the series.

The broadcast will be shown on both FOX Sports and on the web, according to the release.

There are also current discussions in hope of reducing the expense of tyres, with IEG looking to reduce the cost of racing further for 2011.

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